CTNI-68. UPDATES ON A POTENTIALLY PIVOTAL TRIAL CNS-201: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL OF BERUBICIN VS. LOMUSTINE AFTER FIRST-LINE THERAPY FOR GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME (GBM)

Abstract Berubicin, derived from doxorubicin (Dox), appears to cross the BBB and has shown significant central nervous system (CNS) uptake and anti-tumor activity. A current, potentially pivotal trial for patients with recurrent GBM after first-line therapy has completed enrollment in the US and Europe: a total of 252 patients were randomized 2:1 (Berubicin:Lomustine) after failure of prior therapy. All patients had to have certification of progression by a central reader, were Grade 4 IDH WT, and were stratified by MGMT methylation status. The primary endpoint, overall survival (OS), is maturing in this blinded trial; however, data will be presented that will document the demographics of the Berubicin and Lomustine arms, and provide a comparison of safety profiles and disposition of the patients enrolled on the study. Recently, a pre-planned non-binding futility analysis of the primary endpoint, OS, was evaluated when the trial reached ~30% of expected events (44 events). This interim analysis was performed by an independent statistician under the supervision of the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), which was additionally comprised of two oncologists. The DSMB’s charter mandated that they review the primary endpoint, OS, as well as secondary endpoints and safety data to determine whether these data for the risk-benefit profile warranted modification or discontinuation of the study. The DSMB recommended that the study continue as it was currently planned, with no modifications required, having met a pre-determined conditional endpoint. After the results of this interim analysis, CNS Pharmaceuticals completed enrollment with 252 patients evaluable for efficacy based on OS evaluations. Based on the decision of the DSMB, as well as the data presented herein, which includes comparative safety and balanced randomization of the arms, we will provide our recommendations and highlight our further development of Berubicin as a therapeutic option for patients with recurrent GBM as well as other CNS malignancies.